Fire-escape



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. W. B. MURRAY 8v T. G. SCOTT.

(No Modell.)

PIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Mar. 14, 1893.

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PIRE ESCAPE.

N0.493,556. Patented'mar. 14, 189s.

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- RAY and THOMAS G. SCOTT, citizens of the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS W. B. MURRAY AND THOMAS G. SCOTT, OF CHICAGO, ILLNOIS.

FI RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 493,556, dated March 14, 1893.

Application filed October 13, 1892l To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS IV. B. MUR- United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented anew and useful Fire-Escape, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fire-escapes, and has especial reference to that class of fire-escapes constructed in the form of a tubular chute, and consists of the construction and the arrangement of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of this invention is to provide a tire-escape which shall be so constructed that it may be let down from a window when desired for use and which is supported in such position in connection with a window that entrance thereinto can be readily had without danger to the persons endeavoring to make their escape therethrough, the parts being so arranged that the lower end of the escape can be securely and firmly held either by hand or by connecting with suitable devices on the ground to thereby aord a safe and convenient means of exit from a burning building.

In the drawingsz-Figure lis a perspective view of the interior portion of the room showing a window and the improved device in proper operating position in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a center sectional view of the improved device shown inl connection with a window at its upper end and attached to the ground at the lower end of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the escape detached.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate the corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates a canvas tube or chtite which is constructed of suitable width and length, and having a binding rope or cord 2, around the bottom portion thereof. In the upper end of the tube or chute is secured a metallic ring or hoop 4 and extending from said ring or hoop downward over the length of the tube or chute are a series of steady ropes or cords 5 which are extended beyond the binding rope or cord 2 at the bottom of the tube or chute as at 6, and formed into a series of loops 7 which are adapted to beheld by the hands of Serial No. 448,788. (No model.)

those manipulating the escape at the lower end or secured in permanent position as may be desired and found practicable. The said steady ropes or cords 5 are secured to the tube or chute in permanent position and the extension 6 through the loop 7 thereof by drawing apart they will hold the tube or chute in proper taut position throughout the length of the same, and act to keep the said tube or chute in open position when being used. The extensions 6 are made of any desirable length and some of the same may be shorter than others to accommodate various positions of those holding the same and also to arrange the lower end in the best possible position to avoid injury to the person or persons escaping therethrough. The said steady ropes or cords 5 also assist the person escaping to break the movement when too rapid and as a further assistance in this operation and as an additional feature of safety and precaution, especially to the nervous, a web or band S of stron g material extends from the metallic ring or hoop at the upper end and through the interior of the tube or chute to the lower end of the same, said web or band being loosely positioned in the said tube or chute and is adapted to be grasped or clasped by the person in the tube or chute to thereby break the fall and steady the movement. The lowermost side of the tube or chute after attachment of the same through the hoop or ring is formed into an apron 9 having securing ropes extending from the ends,thereof, said securing ropes lO being continuations of the steady ropes or cords 5 on this side of the chute, and are adapted to be secured to the floor inside of a room and to draw the said apron over the window sill and downward over the adjacent portion of the wall down under the windowsill. The said extensions l0 are adapted to be secured to suitable eye bolts or pulleys l1 secured to the floor and to the upper portion of the metallic ring or hoop 4, are attached steady ropes or cords l2 which are adapted to be connected to eye-bolts or pulleys 13 secured to the inner side of the window casing to hold the said hoop or ring 4 in upright or vertical position over the window opening and on the outside of the same as shown in Fig. 1, with the bottom of the said hoop or ring resting on the sill and by this means IOO ready access may be had to the tube or chute without the necessity of careful and cautious movement to avoid falling from the window before gaining access to the tube or chute.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 1 that the tube or chute has its upper end always held in propel' position and in such manner that it will be impossible to miss the entrance to the same.

It is intended that this fire-escape shall be kept in hotels and public buildings, in the upper hallways or passages, and that the ends of the apron or flap shall be permanently fastened to the door, so that the metallic hoop or ring shall be on the outside, on a level with the window-ledge; the canvas will be kept in folded position just inside of the window with a simple sign indicating the nature of the device and its intended use, and instructing people in case of ire to throw it from the window and slide down therethrough.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is In a fire-escape, the combination of a tube or chute of flexible material having a binding rope or cord at the bottom thereof and a ring or hoop at the upper portonof the same that is adapted to be disposed vertically, a portion of the material of said tube or chute being extended at the lower portion of the upper end thereof to form an apron, a series of steady ropes or cords attached to the exterior ofthe said tube or chute and projected beyond the opposite ends thereof to form means of securement for the said ends and also as a means of attaching the said apron, a portion of the said steady ropes or cords at the lower ends of the same and beyond the said binding cord or rope being formed with loops, and a web or band loosely located in the interior portion of the said tube or chute and attached at its upper end to the upper portion of the aforesaid ring and at its lower end to the binding cord or rope, substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

' THOMAS W. B. MURRAY.

THOMAS G. SCOTT. Witnesses:

ROBERT BROWN, TERENCE S. ODONNELL. 

